Peach tree named ‘ASFPBF0492’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree, denominated ‘ASFPBF0492’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive red skin. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘ASFPBF0492’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of flatpeach tree, Prunus persica, which has been given the varietydenomination ‘ASFPBF0492’. This new tree produces fruit with a longshelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completionand after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone white fleshfruit for fresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement,France. Contrast is made to ‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) (non-patented)white flat peach tree, ‘Maillardou’ (Bonbon®) (non-patented) yellownectarine tree and ‘Flataugust’ (non-patented) white flat peach tree,standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘ASFPBF0492’ is apromising candidate for commercial success in that it has veryattractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration beforeafter harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘ASFPBF0492’ white flat peach tree originated in a cultivated areaof the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where itwas tested. The ‘ASFPBF0492’ variety resulted from a controlled crossbetween the ‘Maillardou’ (Bonbon®) (non-patented) yellow nectarine tree,which was used as the seed parent and the ‘Flataugust’ (non-patented)white flat peach tree, which was used as the pollen parent. ‘ASFPBF0492’was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by agenetic profile, under number 03.24.43 PBPL and was registered at theOfficial Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic onNov. 14, 2007 under number 1024472 and name ‘PBFLAT0492’. It wasobtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘Franc InraMontclar®’ rootstock tree. It has been determined to have unique treeand fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruitproduction. There are no known effects of the standard ‘Franc InraMontclar®’ rootstock on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plantsremained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the treeand the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by usin Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree blooms in March at Perpignanin the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, itapproximately blooms between the 8^(th) and the 17^(th) of March undernormal climatic conditions, generally about 6 days earlier than the‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) (non-patented) white flat peach tree.

The first fruit of ‘ASFPBF0492’ flat peach tree ripens between the endof July and the beginning of August, generally about 4 days earlier than‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) (non-patented) white flat peach tree. Moreparticularly, it approximately ripens between July 27^(th) and August7^(th) under normal climatic conditions. The date of maturity variesslightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical fruitspecimens of the new variety, and leaves of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows three whole fruits of the newvariety, leaves of the new variety and a third fruit cut in half fordepicting the fruit flesh, the pit cavity and the stone of the newvariety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and size views of flowers ofthe new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of thenew variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘ASFPBF0492’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration before and afterharvesting.

Trees are averagely vigorous and large stature half-standing in asemi-spread to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration offlowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun.Flowering begins semi-early in springtime. The type of flower is showywith relative medium petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands arepresent and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is semi-early tosemi-late. Fruits are flat. The fruit flesh is white and its skin isvery thick, with a pink-red color. The stone is small. Fruit taste issemi-sweet.

In comparison to its male parent, which is the ‘Flataugust’(non-patented) white flat peach tree, the new variety is more resistantto springtime frosts. Flataugust generally ripens later than the newvariety, between August 5^(th) and 14^(th) under normal climaticconditions.

In comparison to its female parent, which is ‘Maillardou’ (Bonbon®)(non-patented), the new variety is a white flat peach tree instead of ayellow nectarine tree. ‘Maillardou’ also ripens later, around August27^(th). ‘Maillardou’ was an interesting genitor because of its goodfruit taste.

Compared to ‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) (non-patented) fruits, fruits ofthe new variety are of better presentation; they are rounder, with anevener surface and a more pronounced pink-red coloration covering thewhole fruit skin surface. Fruit taste of the new variety is alsogenerally more aromatic. A comparison of blooming and ripening periods'differences between the new variety and the ‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®)(non-patented) white flat peach variety is provided above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following was observed during the2007 and 2008 growing seasons under the ecological conditions prevailingat the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartement, France. All observations have been done on rootstockcultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree. Moreparticularly, observations relative to tree, trunk, branches, leaves andfruit were done in August 2007 and August 2008 on trees in their fourthand fifth growing season. Observations relative to flowers were done inMarch 2007 and March 2008 on trees in their fourth and fifth growingseason. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S.Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal HorticulturalSociety of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large as compared to other common            commercial peach cultivars. The tree size the first year was            approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 80 cm. So            the tree size from the second year (second and next years)            reached a final height of 330 cm with current seasons shots            length comprised.-   Spread: Approximately 150 to 200 cm with a cylindrical shape. The    whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organisation, with    tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1 meter in a    same tree line.-   Vigor: Considered averagely vigorous to vigorous. The present    variety grew from about 200 cm to 280 cm in height during the first    growing season. For second and following seasons, the variety was    pruned to an approximate height of 250 cm.-   Productivity: Very productive over the years. Fruit set is spaced by    thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired market    sized fruit. The number of fruits in the fruit set varies with the    prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices employed    during the bloom period, and is therefore not distinctive of the    present variety.-   Bearer: Very regular. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for    the tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the    years of observation.-   Form: The ‘ASFPBF0492’ variety has naturally a semi-spread to    semi-upright shape.-   Density: Considered medium dense.-   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The    variety had a good behavior under the central Pyrénées-Orientales    departement typical climatic conditions and was selected for its    hardiness. Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling    requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good    behaviour of the new variety in all cases. As a flat peach tree, the    new variety should potentially be more sensitive to frosty    conditions, low temperatures and climatic variations. However, the    new variety pistil cup appeared to be little sensitive to cracking    due to frosty conditions. The new variety is expected to be hardy in    all zones adapted to the culture of peach trees.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately between 8.0 and 10.0 cm in diameter when    measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil level.    The branching begins at 50 cm above the soil level.-   Bark texture: Considered slightly rough, with folds of papery    scarfskin being present.-   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels range in    size from approximately 5.0 millimeters to 8.0 millimeters in width,    and about 2.0 millimeters in height.-   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color    (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the inside is    considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166 B).-   Bark coloration: The bark has a silver-grey color a little more    pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C to RHS Black    202 C).

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches and current season shoots are considered    medium to thick for the variety.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other peach varieties. The current    season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 8.0 millimeters, and    observed branches have a diameter comprised between 26.0 and 42.0    millimeters.-   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no    furrowed appearance.-   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the    crotch angles are generally between 55 degrees and 65 degrees from    the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not    considered distinctive of the variety, however.-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.-   Internode length: Generally 25.0 millimeters to 40.0 millimeters.-   Color of mature branches: Grey brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A).-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light            green (RHS Green 143 C to D) on lower part of new shoot            tips, whereas the upper part is colored in more or less            brown-red (varying from RHS Greyed Red 182 B to C).

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf measurements    have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at    approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is above    4.03.-   Leaf length.—Approximately 175.0 to 212.0 millimeters with leaf    petiole.-   Leaf width.—Approximately 38.0 to 48.0 millimeters.-   Leaf base shape.—Concave.-   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.-   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate and small.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C).-   Leaf texture: Smooth.-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—Light green with a cream touch (RHS Yellow Green 145            D).-   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating.-   Form: Considered slightly dentate.-   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last    case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one or two smaller    leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—Approximately between 8.0 and 10.0 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately between 1.6 and 2.0 mm.        -   Color.—Light green shading to white (RHS Yellow Green 145 B            to C).-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered small. Their length is about 1.0            millimeters.        -   Number.—Generally 2 to 5, mostly 4 glands per leaf.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            pale green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands            color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0            millimeters wide and approximately 20.0 millimeters long.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown            color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B); the corolla, formed by            the petals, is generally of pink color (varying from RHS Red            Purple 65 B to RHS Red Purple 69 C). Petals color shows an            evolution until the end of flowering. The buds are            considered hardy under typical central Pyrénées-Orientales            departement climatic conditions.-   Hardiness: No winter injury was noted during the last several years    of evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with    winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The    current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or    heat stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in    orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an average    temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in    summer.-   Date of bloom: Generally March. The first bloom was observed on Mar.    4, 2004.-   Blooming time: Considered of semi-early season in relative    comparison to other commercial peach cultivars grown in the    Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is    observed on March. The date of bloom varies with climatic conditions    and cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was observed    approximately on Mar. 9, 2004.-   Duration of bloom: Approximately 10 days. This characteristic varies    with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.-   Flower size: Considered medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is    approximately between 26.0 and 32.0 millimeters.-   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately 45 flowers per    meter.-   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,    occasionally 1.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium for the species.-   Length: Generally about 18.0 millimeters.-   Width: Generally about 15.0 millimeters.-   Petal form: Rounded.-   Petal count: Nearly always 5.-   Petal texture: Smooth and glabrous.-   Petal color: Medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to C) when young,    slightly darkening with advancing senescence.-   Fragrance: Pronounced.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a            slightly rounded extremity.        -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.-   Petal margins: Generally moderately undulated.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices have generally a wide-dome            shape.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium to long and having an average            length of approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 C to D).-   Floral nectaries:    -   -   Color.—A green yellow (varying from RHS Yellow 13 A to B to            RHS Yellow Green 150 A to B).-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B) color.-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Size.—Small.        -   Color.—Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B).-   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 40 stamens per    flower.-   Anthers:    -   -   Generally.—Small in length.        -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed            Purple 178 A). Anthers are becoming yellow at maturity.-   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color    (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C). The present variety is    considered self fruitful (self-pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 10.0 to 16.0            millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally            superior to the pistil's length.-   Color: Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C    to D) to pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A to B).-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 13.0 to 15.0 millimeters including the            ovary; Generally smaller than filaments length.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow            Green 150 D to RHS Yellow Green 151 D).        -   Surface texture.—Pubescent, particularly around the ovary.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Very firm ripe condition (shipping ripe).-   Date of first picking: Aug. 1, 2004.-   Date of last picking: Aug. 10, 2004. The date of harvest varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘ASFPBF0492’    variety has a semi-early to semi-late date of picking, and a grouped    maturity: only 2 to 3 harvests in approximately 10 days are    generally necessary.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large, and homogeneous in size, with a            very round shape.-   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 72.0 to 80.0 millimeters.-   Average axial diameter: Approximately 35.0 to 45.0 millimeters.-   Typical weight: Generally around 200.0 grams. This characteristic is    highly dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and    therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in            symmetry, viewed from pistil end.-   Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed, extending from the base to the apex. No    apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a color similar to the whole            fruit color, a luminous pink-red (varying from RHS Red            Purple 59 A-B to RHS Red Purple Group 60 A-B).-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Smooth.-   Apex: Depressed.-   Base: Semi wide-mouthed, shallow.-   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 1.2 to    1.5 cm. Average width is about 0.5 to 0.6 cm.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered thick and strong, and tenacious to            moderately tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of            maturity.        -   Texture.—Slightly pubescent.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.        -   Tendency to crack.—Generally none.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous pink-red            (varying from RHS Red Purple 59 A-B to RHS Red Purple Group            60 A-B). The red blush covers 100% of the fruit skin            surface.        -   Ground color.—The fruit color is uniform: a luminous            pink-red (varying from RHS Red Purple 59 A-B to RHS Red            Purple Group 60 A-B).-   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.-   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to 145 B).-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, slowly, long shelf-life.        -   Texture.—Firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at            harvest maturity stage.        -   Fibers.—Generally not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, sweet and aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is superior to 13            and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor            is considered aromatic.        -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This            characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per            tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding            climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS White Group N 155 A) with a            star-shaped red pigmentation (RHS Greyed Purple 185 A to B)            into the stone cavity and around.

STONE

-   Type: Semi-Clingstone.-   Size: Small. The stone size varies significantly depending upon the    tree vigor, crop load and prevailing growing conditions.-   Length: Approximately 20.0 to 25.0 millimeters.-   Width: Approximately 20.0 to 24.0 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately 12.0 to 15.0 millimeters.-   Form: Flat. General shape similar to a ‘vertebra’.-   Base: Generally straight.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is flat.-   Stone cavity: Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form and    dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are flatter and more pronounced on            lateral faces.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered an    orange brown to red brown (RHS Greyed Orange 173 C to D).-   Tendency to split: Splitting is generally absent, depending on    climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered small.        -   Length.—Approximately 7.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 5.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.        -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light orange-yellow (RHS Greyed            Orange 166 C) with darker streaks (RHS Greyed Orange 166 B).            The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 D). The            kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit            maturity.-   Use: The subject variety ‘ASFPBF0492’ is considered to be a peach    tree of the semi-early to semi-late to late season of maturity, and    which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively    colored. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for    uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full maturity. Due    to their flesh quality, firmness and density, and long shelf-life on    the tree after growth completion and after harvesting they are    useful for both local and very long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good. Fruits have a slow maturation and a long    shelf-life both on the tree after growth completion and after    harvesting. Storage should be possible at 2.0 degree Celsius for    more than one month.-   Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new peach    variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after    being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. Its    resistance to handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf    life without alteration after harvest permit 3 weeks to 4    weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.-   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular susceptibilities    were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery    mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and    strong skin.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life withoutalteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet whiteflesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very highpercentage of red blush.